Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-02-02
CHANGESN THE CENTRAL
MORRIS >. BELkNAP MADE
GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT.

! Superintendent Rogers Given the Posi-
/ tIon of Assistant to President Ale1an-
| der-Sketch of the New Superintendent
His Appointment to Go Into Effect
Next week-Other .Changes Likely to
Follow.
! For two or three days past it has been
known that a cnange was imminent in
the General SUPPLEMENTARY Of the Cen
trail railroad. Yesterday morning the
fact was made public, and Col. William
Rogers announced that ne had accepted
the position OF assistant TO President
! Alexander.
Mr.. Morris Sheppard Belknap, Super
| intendent OF the Nicksburg, Shreveport
and Pacific railroad, VINO has been at the
Screyen House since sunday, was
rendered the General Superin-
tendency of the Central several
days ago and has accepted. Yesterday
he was introduced TO the heads of depart
ments by Col. Rogers. Toe latter has had
tne ofer Of tue position OF assistant 10 the
President for a week. The place Is created
for ANN and carries wtth IL salary
which is understood to be 81 1000 year,
or $1,000 less than Tue General Superln-
| tendenrs salary,
ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT.
What the duties viii be is rather hard
to state, as Il is said that thev have hard
ly been more than outlined In q general
way BY the President himself. C,l.
! Rogers Office VIII be removed eventually
10 the Central Railroad Bank building,
although lie Will remain in the V esI
Broad street building for some time Vet.
| Mr.. Be,knap lett for New York last night
and is not expected back before Monday,
when he Will take immediate charge.
The change mas been looked for ever
since Gen. AleXander's election 10 the
Presidency, as it WAS known that he
wanted 4 practical civil engineer as
General uperintendent.
Col. Rogers has been connected with
the railroad company for twenty years or
more. and has been General Superintend-
eat Tor over fifteen years.
T1e General Superintendent has gen.
eral charge of the physical maintenance
Of the road, including the roadway, trans
pCriation depoIs, shops, etc. He 2as the
appointment Of all agents ana persons
not employ ed in the traffic department.
THE NEW SUPERINTENDENT.
Mr.. BelkEap was born in New Orleans,
and is now in his 4lst year. he received
bis education in the city OF his birth, and
atterwsrd went 10 France TO secure a
thorough training in engineering. He
graduated at the Government Engineer
ing School, Ecole des Points ct Chaussee.
in Paris. Alter returning TO this country
he was appointed assistant engineer in
the department of maintenance OF way
OF the Louisville and Nashville rail
road. The city Of Louisville, ny,
desiring competent city engineer, Sc
cured his services shortly afterward. He
remained in this position until he was Of
fered the General SUPPLEMENTARY of the
Mexican National Construction Compa-
ny. with headquarters in the City of
Mexico. That position put him in charge
Of the construction OF the entire line.
HIS EXPERIENCE IN MEXICO.
Being a good luguist, speaking French,
Spanish ami German, he readily adapted
himself to the country, and By energy.
perseverance ana hard common sense, he
gained a wide reputation in that country
as railroad manager. Desiring TO re.
turn to tae states. his recognized ability
secured for him the responsible
position OF Superintendent of the lines OF
the Louisville and Nashville from Mont
gomery to Mobile witA that cOmpany's
Florida system. The ETlaaEer syndicate.
wnich controlled the Cincinnati Southern
and dependencies, desiring a superin-
teDdelt OF more than average ability 10
lAAs lOlO OF TWO OF llelT UlGpldatea
properties, the Nicksburg aud Aeridian
and the Nics sburg. Shreveport and Pa
cite. decided upon Nj. Besknep and called
hin tAitaer, in whose employ ne remained
until he was appointed 10 the General
periItendency OF the Central.
THOROUGH RAILROAD NAN.
Mr. Belknap : a gentleman OF pleasing
address snd = iUokeG upon oy MS former
employees as a nrm master OUT true
friend.
Il Is related OF him that he Is
TIE only railroad man who has sue
ceeied in making two trains pass on 8
single track. DURING the fresaets Q.
1875. when the Teusas river overlooked.
the water rose several inches shove the
rails on trsstle, rendering il impossi-
ble for trains to cross. In order not to
impede the trsfic any length OF time. Mr.
Bsiknsp placed upon the trest!e train o.
fat cars, laid rails upon :5slr decks. and
ran the trains over The iss cars, ds.SIUlng
travel only few RpurS. wuereas, ctaer-
wise 1t would have been delayed tor days.
His wide experience IN railroad engineer
ing and construction particularly nts
aim for his new position.